best places on a budget - Solomon Islands snorkeling

Where is the best snorkeling and where are the inexpensive places to stay near them?

There are many places in Solomon islands you can snorkel provided you bring your own gear. There is a relatively cheap Rest House run by the Mothers Union on Tulagi, a shortish ferry ride from Honiara, which has power, shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen. You need to bring your own fresh food from Honiara, but ou can buy basics like tinned tuna, rice and noodles locally, There is a beach right outside.
A homestay might suit you, but most have no mod. cons. Check out Exploring Solomons or Visit Solomons and come back with questions about places you think are interesting.

Thanks for the links! We have been to Solomons before staying near Munda, Tetepare and surrounds. Homestay-type accommodations are fine with us as long as we can get food.

We are thinking of spending more time in Marovo lagoon, but Uepi sounds too expensive. Do you have a favorite place to stay in that lagoon?

Do you recommend any other islands for snorkeling, canoeing?
Thanks!

We have snorkeled in Banda, Sulawesi and some of the best places in the world, so are looking for decent snorkeling. I know those are hard acts to follow.

Check out Matikuri Lodge and Charapoana Lodge (google).

Most homestays should provide meals. I am much more familiar with the other parts of Solomon Islands, having spent little time in the west. If you have already visited the Western Province, it might be worth considering somewhere less touristy.

somewhere less touristy sounds great to us. We want to spend time snorkeling and canoeing around and meeting local people. What are your favorite places for that in the other parts of Solomons?

This is where I usually go, as the owners are practically family. If you are interested, I can give you contact details. All money goes to the extended family and villagers.
However, it has no modern conveniences, like power, or a flush toilet.
Canoeing would be in dugout canoes, and you would definitelyy need to bring your own snorkel gear.

Hello! Headed to Honiara on Thursday from New Zealand and wondering if we can buy snorkel/masks in Honiara as they are VERY expensive here in NZ. Are there shops to buy a cheap set before heading out to outer islands?
thanks!

The short answer is NO! Look in bargain stores like The Warehouse, before you leave New Zealand. All you can get in Honiara are very cheap and nasty diving glasses.